Which one of the following committees on Panchayati Raj suggested constitutional amendment to ensure Panchayati Raj institutions?

L. M. Singhvi Committee (1986)

• In 1986, the Rajiv Gandhi government appointed a committee to prepare a concept paper on ‘Revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institutions for Democracy and Development under the chairmanship of L.M. Singhvi.

It made the following recommendations

• The Panchayati Raj institutions should be constitutionally recognised, protected and preserved.
• For this purpose, a new chapter should be added to the Constitution of India. This will make their identity and integrity reasonably and substantially inviolate.
• It also suggested constitutional provisions to ensure regular, free and fair elections to the Panchayati Raj bodies.

Additional Information

G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985)

• The committee proposed that the district should be the primary unit of planning and development.
• It recommended that the District Development Commissioner be made the pivotal officer responsible for coordinating and implementing development programs at the district level.

Laxmi Mal Singhvi Committee (1986)

• It was formed by the Government of India to make suggestions for the revival of the Panchayati Raj.
• It advocated that Panchayati Raj should primarily be viewed as the Local Self-Government system and should be strengthened accordingly.
• The Committee suggested that Panchayati Raj should be constitutionally recognized on the basis of this suggestion 64th constitutional amendment bill was introduced.

P. K. Thungan Committee (1989)

• It recommended regular elections and according to constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj institutions